Iron Ore Tracking from Port to Steel Plant — Imported Ore Visibility India

India imported 8+ million tonnes of iron ore in FY2024 — predominantly through east coast ports (Paradip, Vizag, Gangavaram) and west coast ports (New Mangalore, Mormugao). The last-mile from port to plant is among the most congested and highest-risk segments in India's steel supply chain.

The Port-to-Plant Challenge

Imported iron ore sits at ₹6,000–12,000 per tonne depending on grade and origin. A 25-tonne truck carries ₹1.5–3 lakh of material. Port corridors are dense with informal traders, aggregate buyers, and established grey market networks.

The specific risks on port-to-plant corridors:

Traffic congestion creating legitimate-looking extended halts that mask pilferage stops

Proximity to established grey market buyers near port industrial zones

Driver fatigue stops on long hauls (Vizag to Chhattisgarh: 600+ km) used as cover for planned unloading

Multiple fleet types — port container trucks, flatbeds, tippers — requiring device versatility

Port Dispatch Integration

Intugine integrates with port operations for trip creation at vessel discharge:

Trip created with vessel ID, lot ID, ore grade, and dispatch weight from the port system

GPS + activity sensing IoT device fitted at port exit gate

Route assigned based on destination plant and preferred corridor

Corridor Risk Profiles

Paradip → Odisha/Jharkhand plants: 200–400 km, passing through areas with active iron ore trading markets near Joda and Barbil belts.

Vizag → AP/Telangana/Chhattisgarh plants: 300–700 km. Long-haul corridors with multiple driver rest points near known risk zones.

New Mangalore → Karnataka/Maharashtra plants: 400–800 km. Mixed highway corridors with less established risk intelligence — requires corridor calibration period.

Quality Tracking for Imported Ore

Imported iron ore is purchased on grade specifications — Fe%, silica, alumina, and moisture. A shipment short-delivered at the plant may have also been grade-compromised during transit.

Intugine links trip records with LIMS quality data — enabling per-trip Fe% tracking alongside quantity. Trips with both weight shortage and quality variance trigger enhanced investigation.